Overview
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar formally inaugurated Consulates General of India in Yekaterinburg and Kazan, calling the move a new phase in India–Russia ties.
- Jaishankar said the posts will catalyze trade, technology, scientific, tourism, academic and cultural cooperation across Russian regions.
- Yekaterinburg was highlighted as an industrial hub and gateway to Siberia, with strengths in heavy engineering, defence manufacturing, metallurgy, nuclear fuel, chemicals and medical equipment, and hosting the INNOPROM forum.
- Kazan was presented as a multicultural bridge to Asia with industries spanning oil refining, fertilisers, automobiles, defence manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and electrical equipment, and it hosted the 2024 BRICS summit.
- The openings drew Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko and India’s Ambassador Vinay Kumar, and Jaishankar also met President Vladimir Putin to review preparations for next month’s leaders’ summit in New Delhi.